One of the biggest obstacles to retrofitting suburbia with more walkable environments is passionate local opposition to change.
A collection of Greater Greater Washington contributors gathered online to discuss ideas for walkability in suburban settings to commemorate the release of a new book, Suburban Remix, by Jason Beske and David Dixon.
The discussion focuses on Prince George's County, specifically about the difficulties of overcoming voal local opponents to change. The discussion ranges from framing the conversation about development in terms of safety, focusing on areas where change is possible (potentially by taking other areas out of the redevelopment discussion), finding middle ground, zoning, and historic preservation.
FULL STORY: Can transforming suburban places to walkable urban ones be successful and popular?
A New Transit-Oriented Downtown for New Carrollton, Maryland
The New Carrollton transit station will add Purple Line light rail to its multi-modal mix; planners at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) hope to leverage the new transit for new land use and development around the station.
Is Atlanta's Shift to Infill Development the Canary in the Sprawl Coal Mine?
A new study indicates that one of America's poster children for auto-centric development has a made a significant u-turn. Since 2009, the majority of Atlanta's new commercial and rental housing has been built in "walkable urban places".
Foot Traffic Ahead: Report Reveals the Resilience of Walkable Places
Reports of the city’s death have been greatly exaggerated, according to new research from Smart Growth America.
The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?
Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks
Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.
To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land
How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.
Parking Reform Can Boost Homebuilding 40 to 70 Percent
More evidence that parking flexibility is key to housing abundance.
California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines
The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.
Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds
The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Prescott
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
CORP - COnsulting Research Projects
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners